Heinz Hall Presents THE WIZARD OF OZ, 3/30-4/4

The greatest family musical of all time, THE WIZARD OF OZ, is coming to Pittsburgh's Heinz Hall for six performances March 30 - April 4, 2010, as a special presentation in the PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh series. PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh is presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

This magical production, based on the Royal Shakespeare Company's celebration of the 1939 MGM movie, is presented with breathtaking special effects that will sweep audiences away from the moment the tornado twists its way into Kansas to the finale.

Director, Nigel West; choreographer, Leigh Constantine; and set and costume designer, Tim McQuillen-Wright feature the glamour and elegance of art deco Hollywood with their visually stunning Technicolor backdrop in this musical stage production of The WIZARD OF OZ. Following the story plot, Dorothy, Toto and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow are transported "Over the Rainbow" to adventures in Munchkin Land, the Haunted Forest, and the Emerald City. Featuring the classic songs by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, "Over the Rainbow," "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead," and "Merry Old Land of Oz," along with the beloved characters, THE WIZARD OF OZ will have the entire family captivated as they travel down the yellow brick road for an unforgettable evening at the theater.

Twelve local children, all student's at Michele's Dance Center in Wexford, will perform the roles of "munchkins" while this beloved classic is live on stage in Pittsburgh. The children were selected through an audition process by the National Tour. The children who will perform in the Pittsburgh engagement are Madison Bittner, Megan Carcaise, Victoria Carcaise, Payton Carroll, Michael Caye, Elena Diulus, Hannah Feldhues, Josselyn Fester, Alexis Meckler, Savannah Nasse, Olivia Tarchick and Heather Walter.

Tickets ($21 - $59) to THE WIZARD OF OZ at Heinz Hall, March 30-April 4, 2010, are available at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue); by calling the Heinz Hall box office at 412-392-4900; and online at www.pgharts.org. To purchase 10 or more tickets, please call 412-392-4819.